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Keeping Toys Clean

Contemplating how to disinfect germy toys?

09.30.2009

Submitted by alara on Tue, 09/29/2009 - 11:00pm.
The Bite:
That is the question. Here is the answer: Scrub down your kids' playthings with healthier, nontoxic cleaners. Toys need a regular wipe-down, especially after other kids play with 'em (and spread their germs) or if your squirt gets sick. These DIY all-purpose degerming methods will preserve your sanity.
The Benefits: 
  • No tragic toxins. Many traditional cleaners contain dangerous chems like benzene, a human carcinogen. White vinegar is a great disinfectant, and like these wipes and sprays, won't leave toxic residues on toys that touch your kid's skin and mouth.
  • (Ham)letting fish and plants live. Products that contain phosphates contribute to algae bloom, a type of waterway weed growth that depletes oxygen in the water, harming marine life.
  • Cutting colds from acts I-V. Keeping toys and play areas germ-free helps ward off illness.
Wanna Try: 
What and When
  • Plastic, metal, and wood toys that babies put in their mouths need frequent cleaning - as much as daily or three times a week. Other toys are generally good with monthly cleaning.
  • For nonelectronic plastic and metal toys, load 'em in the shower, spray with a mix of water and vinegar or liquid dish soap, then rinse (perfect for when the shower's heating up).
  • To clean board books, spray with vinegar or one of the eco-cleaners below, and wipe with damp cloth.
  • For stuffed animals and other plush toys, toss 'em in a pillow case or delicates mesh bag and leave in the freezer for 24 hours to kill germs and mites, then run them through the wash (still in the pillow cases) with a full load.
  • In general, clean toys thoroughly after your kid's been sick, if you have a group of kids over to play, or if toys are visibly dirty.

Cleaners
  • Ecover Dishwashing Liquid - biodegradable wash with plant-based ingredients; safe for all marine life ($6/32 ounces).
  • Punky Wipes - phosphate-free biodegradable wipes; great for strollers and car seats too ($5/25).
  • Method Wipes - nontoxic surface wipes made from renewable, compostable fibers in cucumber, pink grapefruit, or French lavender scents ($4/30).
  • Planet Spray - all-purpose, hypoallergenic, biodegradable spray packaged in recycled plastic containers; nontoxic to aquatic life ($4/22 ounces).
  • DIY Bite - make your own all-purpose toy cleaner by filling a spray bottle with water and adding a healthy splash of white distilled vinegar or eco dish soap.

Timeout

Jill Cherkas of Philadelphia, PA, saves time by throwing all of 2-year-old Maggie's plastic toys in the bathtub, spritzing 'em with a soapy vinegar mix and turning on the shower.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Mama Biters clean germy toys with an eco-spray instead of a conventional product, we'll keep the weight of 79 actors in toxic cleaners from flowing down drains and harming marine life.

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Sara  on October 26, 2009 at 07:31 AM 1
I have researched most of the suggested cleaning products mentioned above. Unfortunately, they are not as save as you'd like to think. They still contain toxic chemicals and they don't disclose ALL of their ingredients. Here is a great website for products that are actually toxic-free effective cleaners. www.babygirlproducts.com

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